Your team can help give clear direction
The initial brainstorming of an event is always my favorite. I absolutely enjoy getting my staff and volunteers together to discuss the theme and direction for our girls’ event each year. There have been years where I already had an idea of where God was leading us and times it was a blank slate. Whatever kind of year it was I always started out with prayer first. Then we would dive right into discussing where their girls were at in that season. I wanted to know what they were talking about, what they were dealing with, and what questions they kept asking. My leaders’ insight was the launching pad for the event. We would take everyone’s thoughts and talk through possible themes, activities, breakout topics, and anything else we might want to do for that event. By the end, we make some initial decisions as a team and be off and running with a clear direction.
Your team can help you be relevant
The part of the team that keeps you and me relevant is our students. We had a group of student leaders in our ministry and those were the girls that I went to when we started planning the next girl’s event. They got a say in what we’d talk about and the activities we’d do. These girls were never shy about what they wanted and needed. Their insight also showed me areas where we could go deeper with them. What I loved most is that there was always a thought or two that would never cross my mind to choose as a breakout topic or activity to do.
Your team makes your girl’s event successful
Utilizing a team of leaders and students from the beginning is what makes any event successful because you have created buy-in. It’s no longer your event or the girls’ ministry event…IT IS THEIR EVENT. When it’s their event, leaders want to be a part of the weekend, and let’s face it, we can’t pull any event off without our leaders. But what is equally or even more important is when the girls in your ministry feel like it is their event. Then they want to be there and they want their friends there too. They’re the ones it’s all for and who we want to reach with the truth of God’s word.
One last thought - In all my years of including my volunteers and students in planning events, the two that are the most memorable were small one-night events. Both of these events were planned completely by students; I just provided the resources for all they wanted. For one of these, I had one girl really take ownership and she came up to the church the week leading up to the event to prepare and set everything up. I was so amazed. It was such a great reminder that including the girls was the best way to plan.
